Faculty and Staff

Katrina Meyers – Sweet Peas Preschool

The daughter of a US Forest Service employee, Katrina grew up enjoying the forests and natural areas of the Western US. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Oregon State University. She has taught in instructional preschools at OSU and LBCC and enjoyed working with students both young and old. In 2001, she became a Certified Temperament Specialist allowing her to better understand and serve children, parents, and families. She discovered Waldorf education in 2009 and found what she felt had been missing in other educational systems: a deep knowing and honoring of how children develop and learn. Outside the classroom, she loves getting her hands dirty in the garden, practicing Bikram yoga, and spending time with her family.

Wendy Willard – Golden Roses Preschool

Wendy has spent most of her life in the Willamette Valley. After graduating from Linfield College, she spent several years teaching middle school math. She then took a short break from teaching to spend time with her young children. It was during this time that she discovered her love of early childhood and Waldorf education. In 2010 she completed the Waldorf Teacher training in Eugene. She is the lead teacher for the Golden Rose Preschool. Outside of school, Wendy enjoys spending time gardening, quilting, cooking, and sharing adventures with her family.

Tracee Highfield – Morning Glory Kindergarten

Tracee completed her teacher training in Eugene, Oregon. She assisted in the Early Childhood program at the Eugene Waldorf School for two years before becoming the Lead Preschool Teacher at the Corvallis Waldorf School in Oregon, where she taught for three years. After the birth of her youngest child, Tracee ran an in-home preschool. Most recently, Tracee taught Kindergarten at Pine Hill Waldorf School in New Hampshire before returning to CWS to lead the Morning Glory Kindergarten Class. She has three children, and she enjoys spending time with her family, running, doing yoga, reading, camping and planting flowers.

Anne Marie Cole – Willow Wind Kindergarten

Anne Marie grew up just outside of Boston as the oldest child of professional classical musicians. She played music and attended many ballets, operas, and concerts. After graduating from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in 1997 and having her daughter, she discovered Waldorf Education. She then attended the teacher training program in Eugene, Oregon, and began working in the kindergarten at CWS in 2004. Anne Marie now lives on a farm in Monroe with her family and an assortment of animals. She continues to lead a culturally rich life: singing, playing the piano, gardening, spinning wool, working with clay, cooking, and deepening her spiritual practice.

Jesse Bedirian – First Grade

Jesse’s work and passion over the last 25 years has been to understand human development and to support the lives of children, a path that led her to the work of Rudolf Steiner. She is trained in Waldorf early childhood pedagogy (Lifeways Certificate) and has a Waldorf Grades Teacher Certificate for 1st-8th grades from Antioch University. Jesse spent 14 years teaching dance, advocating for arts curriculum and the importance of movement in learning and development. She provided K-12 educational support services in all academic areas for 11 years, both as the Project Coordinator for the Student Literacy Corps at Washington State University and as the Program Director of the Service Learning Office at the University of Colorado. She is a counselor for children and adolescents specialized in somatic, expressive arts and play therapy. Jesse holds a MFA in Dance, a MEd in Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology and is a Certified Systemic Play Therapist. Jesse and her family are new to the Corvallis area, so please welcome them warmly to our community.

Jeff Parker – Second Grade

Jeff has worked at the Corvallis Waldorf School since 2003, starting out as a 7th grade teacher. He has taught grades 1 through 8. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Arizona and completed his Waldorf teacher training in Eugene. What he loves most about the Corvallis Waldorf School is the feeling of community that comes from a group of parents and teachers who want to improve the lives and futures of our children. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys making music and being active in the outdoors. He lives in South Corvallis with his wife and two step-children.

Chris Highfield – Third Grade

Chris Highfield has been a Class Teacher at the Corvallis Waldorf School since 2007. He received a BA degree in history/secondary education from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, a MS from the University of Oregon in geography, and is currently receiving mentoring from the Waldorf teacher training program in Eugene, OR. He spent ten years in various teaching positions in the public school system in different regions of the country before coming to CWS. Drawn to the strength of curriculum and emphasis upon art found at Waldorf schools, Chris truly appreciates the opportunity to learn and develop along with his students. On his time away from school, Chris enjoys various outdoor activities, running, gardening, playing music and spending time with his family.

Eric Sudhalter – Fourth Grade

Eric is currently the 3rd grade teacher at Sanderling Waldorf School in San Diego County, California. He received his Waldorf teacher training at the Waldorf Institute of Southern California, and now he is looking forward to relocating to the greener pastures of the Pacific Northwest. Eric holds dual degrees in General Education and American Sign Language. Prior to becoming a Waldorf teacher, Eric was a professional sign language interpreter, working primarily in K-12 classrooms in service of the hearing impaired. An Eagle Scout, Eric is drawn to a philosophy of education that combines academic rigor with experiential learning and practical skills. When not in the classroom, he loves working with plants, fermenting food and drink, playing ukulele and guitar, enjoying nature, and dancing.

Sarah Monroe – Fifth Grade

Sarah has lived in the area since moving to Corvallis in 1988 at the age of 11. She received her bachelors degree in German from Portland State University in 2000 and attended a graduate teacher education program at Oregon State. Sarah found her way to the Corvallis Waldorf School in 2003 where she has taught German to grades Pre-K through 8th grade, assisted in the Willow Wind Kindergarten, and served as the director of the Extended Day Program. Sarah received her Waldorf Teaching Certification in June of 2011 from the Waldorf Teacher Training in Eugene, Oregon. In the fall of 2011, she began the journey through the grades curriculum with a first grade class. Sarah enjoys being anywhere out in nature, seeking out live music, and spending time with her family. She lives in Corvallis with her husband and step-son.

John Nelson – Sixth Grade

John Nelson received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Community Health from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. He then completed the Waldorf Teacher Education program in Eugene, Oregon. In 2010, John and his family happily moved to Corvallis to join the faculty at the Waldorf School as a Class Teacher. When he is not at the school teaching his class, engaged in committee work, or building desks, he enjoys bird watching, coaching basketball and eating popcorn. Go Beavs!

Marianne Freeman – Seventh Grade

Marianne grew up in Portland and has lived in Oregon her whole life. She moved to Corvallis in 1991 and received an AS in Horticulture, working for many years in that field before discovering Waldorf education. She completed her Waldorf Education Training in Eugene and began as a Class Teacher CWS in 2009. In her spare time Marianne enjoys traveling, hiking, gardening, reading and cross country skiing. The thing she loves most about being a Waldorf teacher is the incredible journey the teacher gets to take with each student as she helps guide them from the ages of seven to fourteen.

Cheryl Culver – Eighth Grade

Cheryl Culver grew up in West Texas, coming from a family with pioneering roots in Texas going back before it was a state. She loves music, singing, handwork and cooking. She has two grown children whom she adores, and went to college after her youngest finished high school. She received her BS from Johnson & Wales University in Baking and Pastry Arts, then went on to get a Masters degree in Education. She found her way to Waldorf Education and completed her Waldorf Teacher certification at Eugene Waldorf Teacher Training in Eugene, Oregon. She was a class teacher at Spring Garden Waldorf School in Akron, Ohio, where she took a class from fourth through sixth grade. In 2012, she moved to Bellevue where she served as a substitute teacher and Extended Care Director at Three Cedars Waldorf School. Cheryl joined CWS in 2014 and enjoys working with our close-knit community.

Julia Moreno – Spanish

Saludos a todos… Julia is back in Oregon after finishing Eugene Teacher Training 6 years ago. Recently, Julia taught Spanish for 3 years at City of Lakes Waldorf School in cold, but lovely, Minneapolis. Last year, she introduced a Waldorf-inspired program initiative in her native Venezuela (Iniciativa Semilla de Luz Merida), then came back to Eugene where she lives with her husband Eric. A consultant in training and organizational development for more than 15 years before encountering Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education, Julia likes to read, paint, bake, feed the deer, practice yoga, pilates, and meditation, and dance every chance she gets. Nos vemos…

Shellece Millison – Handwork

Shellece Millison grew up enjoying the mountains and forests of the West. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies. Like so many, Shellece discovered Waldorf education through her children. She started as a parent volunteer washing dishes in her daughter’s Waldorf kindergarten in Arizona, then worked as a classroom assistant, handwork assistant, and finally lead handwork teacher. Shellece has been at CWS since 2008, and is currently completing the teacher training program at Steiner College in Sacramento. “I love getting to work with nearly every child in the school, and I have always enjoyed witnessing the healing and transformative processes that arise from working with the hands.” Aside from eagerly exploring her lifelong passion for all forms of art, craft, and handwork, Shellece enjoys dancing, singing, and playing in the forest with her husband and three children.

Rebecca Williams – Strings

Rebecca has had a wealth of experience and opportunity to travel, as a result of her passion for music and teaching. While a student at the Banff School of Fine Arts, she worked with many great artists and skied in the Rocky Mountains. While living in New Zealand she met Nelson Mandela and performed for Queen Elizabeth. In Tahiti she snorkeled in the beautiful aqua-colored sea and, by night, she performed music, ranging from Bach to the Beatles. Rebecca is a licensed PreK-12 music teacher, she has Bachelor degrees in Music and Science and, most recently, she completed a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at OSU. Rebecca has two grown sons and a teenage daughter. She loves teaching at CWS because of the school’s vibrant arts program and strong sense of community. In Waldorf schools, the arts are brilliantly integrated into the entire curriculum, breathing life into whatever the subject at hand, to create lessons that have genuine meaning for students of all walks of life.

Teaching Staff

Andrea Delos-Reyes – Golden Roses Assistant

Andrea Delos-Reyes grew up in Pennsylvania, and received a Masters degree in Art History from the University of Oregon. She holds a second Masters degree in art conservation and restoration, a profession that she enjoyed before taking time to stay home with her daughters. During that time, Andrea discovered the joy of being, and working, with young children. In 2013, she joined CWS as an assistant in the Golden Roses preschool class. Away from the classroom, Andrea enjoys hiking, canoeing, camping, skiing, knitting, baking, and reading.

Laurie Leaf Bowman – Morning Glory Assistant

Laurie Leaf was born and raised in Washington state. She graduated from The Evergreen State College with a degree in environmental studies. After wearing several hats in horticulture, field biology, and retail, Laurie Leaf knew it was time to share her love for the world with children. She attended Waldorf teacher training in Eugene, Oregon. In 2011, she joyfully joined our school community working in early childhood. Ms. Leaf loves visiting the library, exploring nature anywhere, and having cooking adventures with children.

Krystal Boyechko – Extended Day Program Director

Krystal Boyechko grew up in a small town in southern Minnesota where she developed her love of the outdoors. She especially enjoys mushroom hunting, berry picking, and walks through the woods. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin and recently completed her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Professionally, Krystal taught preschool and served as a school administrator for eight years at an independent school in Anchorage, Alaska. New to Oregon, Krystal looks forward to exploring the beautiful Willamette Valley with her husband, Slavik, and their baby, Max, and serving the Corvallis Waldorf Community as the Extended Day Program Director.

Administrative Staff

Melissa Montague – Administrative Assistant

Melissa Montague grew up in the heart of Southern California, just outside of Los Angeles. She found an outlet in the performing arts and studied theater, musical theater, stage production management, set building, and many forms of dance at Pasadena City College and CalArts. After living and working in Yellowstone National Park, she moved to Crestone, Colorado where she studied massage therapy, co-owned and operated a hostel, and became a mother. Melissa and her family moved to Corvallis in 2009 with the vision of growing food. When she is away from the office, you can find her on the farm where the cows, goats, chickens, turkeys, and gardens keep her plenty busy. When Melissa is not tending to her animal friends, her interests include mothering, cooking, sewing, herbology, dancing, writing, mountain biking, hiking, and exploring the ways of wonder.

Maggie Bahnson – Enrollment and Volunteer Coordinator

Maggie Bahnson was born in Brooklyn, NY but spent her childhood playing in the lakes and forests of rural Wisconsin. After graduating from Reed College with a degree in Psychology, Maggie taught 2nd/3rd grade in a private school, earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College and then taught 1st grade in the Gresham Barlow School District. In 2007, Maggie and her family moved to Santa Barbara, where she worked for the University of California Education Abroad Program and served as the Campaign Coordinator for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training Program. Maggie and her family happily moved to Corvallis in 2012 and found their home in the peaceful setting of Soap Creek Valley. When she is not at school, Maggie enjoys running the trails of the Mac Forest, hiking with her husband and two daughters and teaching yoga.

Tim Love – Facilities Director

Tim has served in the field of facilities management and operations for over a decade. He joined the Corvallis Waldorf School community in 2014 to lead the SAGE building project through to completion and to oversee the maintenance and development of our 12-acre campus and 34,000 square feet of building space. Tim is a trained Waldorf teacher and an experienced Bio-Dynamic farmer, prep maker and beekeeper. His past projects include over $3 million in renovations to the Seattle Waldorf School.

Diane Martin – Director of Business Operations

Diane grew up in the Willamette Valley and enjoys all this area has to offer – coasts, mountains, forests, rivers and lakes. She joined the staff at CWS the summer of 2011 after spending seven years as a parent and volunteer at the school. Diane studied nursing, nutrition and health care management in college and has always been drawn to service. She and her husband have three daughters and a granddaughter and live in the country with a menagerie of horses, chickens, dogs, rabbits, pigs and cats.

Peter Zaremba – School Director

Peter Zaremba grew up on Long Island (NY) before earning a BA in Social Anthropology and serving as the captain of the Harvard University Men’s Lacrosse team in 2001. Since then, he has served as an educator in outdoor, public, private, and parochial settings. Now convinced of the advantages of a Waldorf education, Peter brings enthusiasm and broad experience, including further education (MA Organization and Leadership, University of San Francisco) and extensive travel abroad, to CWS. Peter enjoys speaking with people about best practices in the field of education, and he is always seeking ways to benefit children by connecting them with our strong community. On evenings and weekends, Peter enjoys spending time with his wife, their two sons, his bass guitar, and their Jersey cows.